The Wolfpack jumped out to an early 14-3 lead in Sunday’s game against University of New Orleans and never looked back en route to a 69-52 victory. New Orleans, however, did not go down without a fight. The Privateers came within seven, but State managed to put together an 11-0 run to regain control.
“When you get up on a team, and this is something we’ve faced all year, this short year, this short season, is getting up and not knowing how to play with the lead,” head coach Sidney Lowe said. “We talked about that. Basketball is a game of runs. They’re going to muster up enough energy to come back at you, and you have to be able to withstand it.”
“I thought we let our guards down and they came back on us and got a couple of easy baskets where we weren’t really battling, so we had to call a timeout just to get refocused again.”
The Pack was led by junior forward Tracy Smith, who recorded 20 points and eight rebounds, and junior guard Javier Gonzalez with 13 points and eight assists. Sophomore forward C.J. Williams and senior forward Dennis Horner contributed twelve and ten points, respectively. Players and coaches alike agree the team is making strides in the right direction.
“I think we’re making a lot of progress so far,” Gonzalez said. “A lot of the young guys and the older guys are getting more in sync, and we are getting a better feel for each other.”
Highly-touted freshman Richard Howell, a four-star recruit from Marietta, Ga., made his first appearance this season after undergoing knee surgery in October. The youngster battled nerves but made an impact in just seven minutes of playing time, scoring two points, grabbing two rebounds and dishing out one assist.
“It feels good to play again,” Harrow said. “I’ve been anxious to get on the court since I committed. Actually, when coach Lowe said my name, I didn’t think he said it. I thought he made a mistake or something. I was kind of nervous at the table, but once I got in I felt pretty comfortable.”
The Pack found much of its success with ball movement through the post players and tough defense. State shot 48 percent from the field, while holding New Orleans to just 35 percent shooting.
“Well I knew they were going to double-team Tracy [Smith], because they always double-team the post,” Williams said. “So I had to be ready to shoot it to take some of the pressure off of the post players so they can keep going to work down there.”
After going 3-0 in the Glenn Wilkes Classic, where Tracy Smith earned tournament MVP honors and Horner was named to the all-tournament team, the Pack is playing with an air of confidence, due to its recent success.
“Everybody is confident,” Smith said. “Everybody is playing together, everybody is on the same page and everybody wants to win. So, I think if we keep doing this, playing hard the way we’ve been playing, we’re going to be successful.”
